Authors: Jenna Lynn Hodge

Make A Wish (Dandelion #1) (30 page)

BOOK: Make A Wish (Dandelion #1)

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The room was decorated as if it was a remote romantic getaway. A large king-sized canopy bed sat in the center of the room. Hundreds of green vines led around the bed, making it seem as if we were in a jungle. Small lighted flowers were sprinkled throughout the vines, creating a soft dim glow around us. The floor in the room was also sprinkled with petals and tea lights, following suit from the hallway.

“Oh, Beau. I love it!” I knew my eyes were lighting up like a kid in a candy shop, but I couldn’t help it. I was surprised at all of the trouble he’d gone into when planning this amazing night.

His fingers intertwined with mine and he led me to the bed.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Beau walked to the small dresser farthest from us and pulled an athame and a chalice from the drawer. The chalice had two ribbons tied around the base. He brought the items to the bed, preparing to finally complete the mating ritual.

“Please tell me I don’t have to cut you or myself with that knife.”

“That’s something I can’t say, love. It’s quick, and with your werewolf genes, it’ll heal in seconds. Trust me.”

“I do.”

I spoke confidently, watching Beau take the athame and run it along his thumb, no more than an inch in length. He handed me the knife and I did the same, wincing as the blood began to spill over. Each of us dribbled close to ten droplets into the chalice before Beau placed his open wound to mine and held it there.

As the cuts began to heal, our skin sizzled painlessly as if being burnt. When the burning was done, we pulled our hands apart.

The place where our open wounds sat had been replaced with a small mark. Each of us bore a fingerprint from the other, almost as if it was a small tattoo.

“Will this always stay there?” I asked curiously, admiring Beau’s fingerprint marking on my hand.

“As long as we live.”

“Good, I think it’s cute!”

Beau winked at me and untied the two colored ribbons from the chalice.

“These ribbons resemble us and our love. One is yours, one’s mine,” he explained, lacing our fingers together. “As we tie the ribbons around our bound hands, we’ll recite a short phrase and then sip from the cup. Make sense?”

“Yeah, but do I really have to drink that?” I crinkled my nose at the idea of having to drink blood. “You sure we aren’t vampires? I mean, we’re about to drink blood.”

“Yes, I’m sure we aren’t vampires.” He laughed at my obviously disgusted expression. “But this is how it’s been done for centuries.”

“Fine, then.”

“Repeat after me.

We swear to protect and love to stand,

paw to paw and hand to hand,

unite our souls together now,

confirming this our sacred vow.

I repeated and sipped the blood from the chalice just as I’d been told, enjoying the taste more than I would have imagined possible. Beau drank after me. With one quick snap, I felt our souls connect, taking my breath away.

I could feel every emotion that Beau was feeling and vice versa. It was incredible and breathtaking—a moment that I knew each of us would cherish forever.

“Wow.”

Beau slid the tied ribbons from our hands and placed it on top of the dresser, along with the other supplies we’d just used.

As he walked back to me, I could feel the desire he felt and I couldn’t hold it in any longer when he came straight for me. He reached down and pulled me to my feet, bringing his soft lips to mine. In only a matter of seconds, I had deepened the kiss and my body craved more.

Beau took his time unzipping my dress, trailing kisses down my back, and my back arched to meet him.

“Beau.” My words were like a plea and we both knew he couldn’t tease either of us any longer. He turned me around and brought his mouth to mine once more, only breaking away to peel off another article of clothing. He lifted me in his arms, feeling my bare skin against his, and I giggled against him.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Beau, I’m ready for us to finally be together, in every way possible. We’ve waited and I’m glad we did, but I don’t want to wait any longer. I want you.”

I was cut off from talking when Beau smashed his lips to mine, resuming where we had left off.

Beau made love to me, showing me how much I meant to him in every way possible. I adored his reaction to my touch, and he loved how much he affected me too.

The night we had made Gracie, over a year ago now, was beautiful, but this one surpassed that one in leaps and bounds.

I felt the connection and emotions between us, the love we both felt for each other. With every flick of his tongue, a shudder spread throughout me. I arched to meet his every movement in perfect sync and harmony.

It was as if his touch lingered long after his hands and lips left my skin. A fire raged within my belly that only Beau could extinguish, and he met that challenge with great ease. I knew that as long as I lived, I would never tire of moments like this.

“God, Beau.”

He chuckled as he lay beside me, running his hands through my blond and recently touched up blue hair.

“That was way better than the last time.” I winked. “You’ve set the bar high, Mister.”

“I could say the same to you, love.”

“Oh, I have other tricks up my sleeves.”

“No doubt.” He laughed. “I love you, my beautiful wife.” He placed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Sit up and close your eyes, I have one more present for you.” He snickered when I moaned. Though I was loving being spoiled and taken care of, I hadn’t gotten him anything in return.

“Beau, please, I don’t need—”

“—Shut your mouth, Beautiful, and just, for once, do as you’re told.”

I wanted to come up with a snarky response, channel my inner Saylor and all that jazz, but I didn’t. My curiosity was getting the better of me.

With my eyes closed, I heard a few drawers or doors close and open, then close some more. Just when I was sure that he was pranking me or something—because well, if we were being totally honest, that’s what I’d do—I felt something cold on my chest and his fingers grazing the back of my neck.

I opened my eyes and my jaw fell open. Sitting around my neck was the prettiest necklace that I was sure I’d ever seen.

It wasn’t diamonds or expensive gems; it was a dandelion. A full blown fluffy white dandelion captured in a crystal clear resin on a silver chain.

This necklace meant more to me than anything that could’ve purchased from a store.

“Beau...” Tears formed in my eyes.

“I know you didn’t have the greatest childhood and that you have very little memories of your parents, but I wanted to give you something that not only means something to you but to me as well.”

“What does it mean to you?”

“At first, it meant nothing but getting to know and love you, I’ve realized something. You’re a dandelion, Juliette.”

I looked at him, clearly not understanding the reference. I only blinked, looking back at the pendent around my neck and my husband before me.

“You’re beautiful and strong, yet also quite fragile. With one big gust of wind, you can shatter into a million different pieces. But with those pieces, you have the ability to do more good and bring more magic into the world and to those around you. You my love, are a freaking dandelion.”

I pulled him to me, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly as if by letting go, he’d just drift away.

“Okay, okay, love. You don’t have to choke me to death.” He chuckled.

I loosened my grasp around him, only to realize that I was still completely naked. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I looked away but he brought his hand to my cheek and forced my eyes to his.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Jules. I’m not complaining. My view is great.”

“Dear God.” I buried my face in the nearest pillow, which only managed to bring on some maniacal laughter from Beau.

And to think, it was only the beginning.